A new chapter as Vernon library reopens

The Vernon branch of the Okanagan Regional Library will be reopening on Monday, Feb. 24 following a flood earlier this month.

Although staff are calling it a ‘modified’ reopening, things will be getting back to normal in the near future.

The majority of the main floor is still undergoing restorations and will not be accessible. Programming will be held on the second floor and a portion of the children’s and teens collections will be housed on the same floor for the time being as well. Other collections are already housed on the second floor and will be available for browsing as usual.

“The ORL is committed to providing service to our patrons and the staff at the Vernon Branch is taking extraordinary steps to mitigate any inconvenience and disruption,” says Tara Thompson, Branch Head Librarian.

It's estimated that the main floor will be closed for a few more weeks as the drywall, insulation and carpeting is replaced.

The Vernon Friends of the Library will be providing coffee, juice and cookies in the lobby on Monday to celebrate the partial opening.

“I didn’t understand the devastation the flood had caused until I was able to tour the library on Monday,” says Linda Wills, chair of the VFoL.

“The staff have been working under terrible conditions, yet they are still positive and friendly. Their first concern has been how to serve library patrons as best they can during this disruption. So this partial reopening is fantastic news.”

Comments on this story are pre-moderated and approval times may vary. Before they appear, comments are reviewed by moderators to ensure they meet our submission guidelines. Keep it clean, keep it civil, keep it truthful, stay on topic and be responsible. Comments are open and welcome for three days after the story is published. We reserve the right to close comments before then. Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of Castanet, but only of the comment writer.